Lawmakers Poised To Ok Tort Plan Today

TALLAHASSEE — Ignoring a possible veto by Gov. Lawton Chiles, the House and Senate are expected to approve legislation today that would bring wholesale changes to Florida's civil justice system.

The legislation to limit lawsuits, hotly sought by Florida businesses, has been fought by trial lawyers and their consumer allies. It proposes new limits on personal-injury, negligence and product-liability lawsuits long demanded by manufacturers, insurers, rental car companies and other businesses.

Chiles has hinted strongly that he will veto the plan if it overly favors businesses at the expense of consumers.

``I would hope that the governor would take a good look at this and consider letting it become law,'' said incoming House Speaker John Thrasher, R-Orange Park. ``But if he doesn't, this bill will linger on through the summer and come back to us next year.''

Critics have condemned the legislation as merely a fund-raising tool for the Florida Republican Party. Republicans won control of the Legislature in 1996, helped largely by heavy campaign contributions from Florida businesses. After weeks of debate, the heavily lobbied battle came down to a handful of complex _ but critical _ provisions in the session's closing days.

House and Senate negotiators finally broke the logjam late Tuesday by devising a new proposal protecting wealthy corporations from being forced to pay an entire jury award even if they are ruled only partially responsible for damages.

To businesses, such protections are considered one of the most important pieces of the package. But Rep. Tom Warner, R-Stuart, the House's lead negotiator, said he was unhappy with the ``deep-pocket'' shield, saying it could give Chiles another reason to veto the bill.

The proposal would eliminate defendants considered less than 20 percent at fault from major liability awards. It also would cap the amount of money those more liable would pay.

``I'm afraid we've produced a much harsher result than either the House or Senate originally had,'' Warner said.